Managing Director QinetiQ Target Services

QinetiQ Security & Defense Contractors; Ashford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Ashford, England, is seeking a Managing Director. The role involves driving operational performance, ensuring compliance, and leading a cross-functional team. Candidates should have significant leadership experience, strong financial acumen, and a proven ability to develop business strategies. This full-time position offers competitive benefits in a supportive and innovative work environment.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance

Competitive holiday allowance

Options for health insurance

Employee discount portal

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience at a director level.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in profit and loss management.
• Ability to develop effective business strategies and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QinetiQ Target Services business.
• Ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Drive strategic growth and financial performance.

Skills

Business Development

Expense Management

Financial Acumen

Management Experience

Profit & Loss

Acquisitions

Investment Banking

Relationship Management

Social Media Management

Financial Modeling

Customer relationship management

Leadership Experience

Job description

Job Title : Managing Director QinetiQ Target Services

Global Grade : GG16

Location : Ashford Kent

Role Purpose :

Reporting to the MD Air QinetiQ UK Defence Sector, the Managing Director QTS is responsible for delivering strong operational performance and strategic growth with accountability for the delivery of safe and compliant business operations in line with QinetiQ expectations and external and internal regulatory requirements.

The MD QTS owns the development and maintenance of the Product Strategies for Aerial Targets within QinetiQ UK Defence and will create a Centre of Excellence for product manufacture and assembly across the UK.

The role will lead a cross‑functional management team including engineering operations and functional staff within a matrix organisation and will work as part of the wider Air Leadership Team supporting the overall UKD Sector.

Key Accountabilities

• Providing clear visible and effective leadership of the QTSUK business.
• Champion of a people‑centred culture where safety, security, inclusion and the engagement of our people are seen as core to the success in delivering for our customers. Build a highly engaged and high performing leadership team.
• Safety leadership for QTSUK collaborating with UKD Engineering and Operations as per safety delegations.
• Being a role model of QinetiQ behaviours and values.
• Deepen strategic customer engagement in collaboration with the Business Development function. Lead business dealings with senior external stakeholders especially current and potential customers.
• Focus on the organisational development of the QTSUK business to achieve strong collaboration and high engagement.
• Delivers the financial performance of the QTS business including achievement of growth targets and improving its competitiveness and performance.
• Owns the development and maintenance of the Product Strategies for Aerial Targets across QinetiQ.
• Own and develop a capability roadmap for manufacturing and assembly for a broader product portfolio in the UK.
• Own and develop make‑buy partner strategies for a broader product portfolio in the UK.
• Improve customer satisfaction through the effective delivery of products and services to time, quality and cost.
• Monitor, manage and report financial and operational risk in the business.
• Preparation and presentation of a long‑medium‑and short‑term strategy for QTSUK and prepare an annual budget.
• Approve commercial and financial commitments in alignment with delegation.
• Effectively interface with QinetiQ Target Systems Canada and the Australia and US Sectors effectively utilising our routes to market and driving QTSUK product sales globally.

Key Capabilities / Knowledge

• Customer‑orientated : serving and building value‑added relationships with customers whether internal or external.
• Market Aware : understanding the market in which the business operates including competition, suppliers, customer base and the regulatory environment.
• Leadership : focusing, aligning and building effective teams across the business area including the development of future skills and process supported by appropriate tools in collaboration with other business areas.
• Collaboration and Influence : working effectively with and influencing across QinetiQ to generate a positive impact on business performance.
• Results Orientated : focused on improvement of business results including accurate forecasting and time, cost and schedule excellence. Balance risk and innovation to ensure both short‑term deliverables and long‑term growth are achieved.
• Change Leadership : transforming and aligning the business through its people to drive for improvement in new and challenging directions energising the QTSUK team to change in the same direction and promoting best practice across the company.
• People and Organisational Development : promote a high performing culture that enables continuous long‑term skills and capabilities development.

Why Join QinetiQ

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world there's never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee you'll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork and pulling together you'll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.

Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal : Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution : guidance for applicants – ()

Required Experience

Director

Key Skills

Business Development, Expense Management, Financial Acumen, Management Experience, Profit & Loss, Acquisitions, Investment Banking, Relationship Management, Social Media Management, Financial Modeling, Customer relationship management, Leadership Experience

Employment Details

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1